Himeji Jo (Himeji Castle), Hyogo

“Himeji Jo” (Himeji Castle), which is registered as a World Heritage Site, is one of Japan’s top tourist attractions. Its elegant appearance is admired that egret seems to spread wings and is also known by the name of “Shirasagi Jo” (Egret Castle). In 1993, Himeji Castle was registered as the first world cultural heritage in Japan with Horyuji Temple of Nara. It boasts the highest aesthetic completeness as a Japanese wooden building, it is unlike anything in the world, and it is also in the heyday of the castle building in the early 17th century, well showing Japan’s unique castle structure, and it was appreciated that points saved in good condition etc.kobe.travel.coocan.jp
It started in 1333 when a fort was built in this area, and a full-fledged castle started in 1346. The castle large keep built in 1609 can still see its appearance. After that, it came to the Meiji era without being caught in the tumult of war, was designated as a national treasure in 1951, and in 1956 the Great Repair of Showa was done.
Its preservation state is very good, and you can still see the unusual remains. Among them, the coalition castle tower is beautiful, and castle large keep on 5th floor and 6th stories, and 3 castle keeps are connected by watari yagura (roofed passage), and you can enjoy spectacular composition beauty.
After sunset, it will be lit up until 0:00. Because the color of the light changes for each season or event, you can see different landscapes depending on the day of visit.

It is the treasure to the future

It is 400 years of time since construction of this castle, the fort is built here more than 600 years ago, the Himeji-jo (Himeji Castle) which should be inherited as the treasure to the future.

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World Cultural Heritage

The Himeji-jo is registered as World Cultural Heritage of the UNESCO for the first time in Japan with Horyu-ji Temple in December 1993, and it has received a globally high evaluation in existing castle in Japan. The reason is unique building structure including the group of castle towers, beautiful figure called the Castle of Egret, an ingenious function that has a precise design and invention as a fortress. Then the whole castle is stored well, the citadel almost completely retain a style at the time.

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Wooden Building

Whereas most of castles of the world enrolled in a World Heritage are stone building and brick building, but in the Himeji-jo, the main building is wooden except moats and stone walls. Its architecture and the design is unlike any other in the world, and valuable.

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The Himeji-jo has not been involved in a war and a fire during its long history, and saved by effort of citizens.
It was designated National Historic Site in 1929, and National Treasures in 1931. It can communicates the world of ancient atmosphere of a castle to modern people after major repair of several times.

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Information

Name:

Himeji Jo (Himeji Castle)

Adresse:

Honmachi 68 Himeji-city, Hyogo 670-0012 Japan

Access:

JR Sanyo-honsen line "Himeji-eki Station” (20 minutes walk)

Tel:

(+81) 79-285-1146 (Himeji Castle Management Office)

Price/Charge:

1,000 yen (Adult : 18 years old and over)
300 yen (from elementary to high school students)
Please refer the official web page.